British Columbia Premier Announces Elimination of Tesla Incentives: "It's Nauseating"
Tesla Removed from British Columbia's Electric Vehicle Rebate Program
In a move aimed at supporting Canadian-made products and reducing reliance on U.S. goods, the British Columbia government has removed Tesla products from its Electric Vehicle (EV) rebate program. This decision was made following a tightening of eligibility rules, driven by scrutiny over Tesla's aggressive claiming of federal rebates and competitive concerns[1][2].
As of March 12, 2025, Tesla chargers, batteries, and inverters no longer qualify for rebates under the CleanBC and BC Hydro programs. The federal Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) rebate program's exhaustion of its $3-billion budget in early 2025 eliminated a major support mechanism for Tesla, hitting the company particularly hard as it was a large beneficiary of these rebates[1].
The specific Canadian-made products now eligible in British Columbia's rebate program were not detailed in the search results. However, it is common for such provincial programs to prioritise vehicles that meet specific local manufacturing, assembly, or compliance standards — often including Canadian or North American-made EV models[1][2].
The removal of Tesla products from the EV rebate program does not affect other U.S. charging brands. Meanwhile, the escalating tariff war between Canada and the U.S., as well as China, is causing tension and potential economic repercussions for both countries. B.C. liquor stores have made a decision to stop selling U.S. liquor from states with Republican governors due to the ongoing tariff war[3].
Criticism for the move has come from Premier David Eby, who has expressed concern over the use of taxpayer money for Tesla products. He stated that British Columbians would not want $10,000 of their tax money going to Elon Musk, and that such a move would be met with disgust by the public[4].
Anyone who bought a Tesla product or received pre-approval before March 12, 2025, will still receive their rebate. The Tesla Wall Connector, which retails for $580 CAD and was previously eligible for rebates covering up to 50% of installation costs, up to $350 CAD, is no longer eligible for these rebates[5]. The rebate website now clearly states that Tesla products are not eligible for rebates under the CleanBC and BC Hydro programs[6].
British Columbia has a high concentration of Tesla vehicles, particularly in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island[7]. The Tesla Wall Connector is a charger for electric vehicles manufactured by Tesla.
References:
- CBC News
- Global News
- CTV News
- Vancouver Is Awesome
- BC Hydro
- CleanBC
- Tesmanian
In relation to the decision to remove Tesla products from British Columbia's Electric Vehicle rebate program, the federal Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) rebate program's depletion of funds eliminated a significant support mechanism for Tesla, affecting the company notably. Additionally, political scrutiny over Tesla's aggressive claiming of federal rebates and competitive concerns in the industry may have contributed to the tightening of eligibility rules for provincial rebate programs, potentially prioritizing Canadian-made products in the future.
